Tie Plate Separator and Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of a tie plate sorter are disclosed wherein the tie plates are sorted and fed to an output device for further feeding to a tie plate distribution system. The tie plates may be oriented as needed. Exemplary methods are also provided.

CLAIM TO PRIORITY

This divisional application claims priority to and benefit of, under 35U.S.C. §120, U.S. Non-Provisional patent application having Ser. No.13/428,828, filed Mar. 23, 2012 and titled “Tie Plate Separator andMethod Thereof”, all of which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

An apparatus and method is taught for separating and sorting tie platesso that the tie plates may be sequentially fed to a tie platedistribution system. More specifically, an apparatus and method aretaught for feeding a tie plate distribution system wherein the tieplates are separated and sorted mechanically rather than manuallythereby improving efficiency of a tie plate distribution process.

2. Description of the Related Art

In current tie plate distribution systems, sorting and/or separating oftie plates, including orientation of the plates, is a highly manualendeavor. Workers stand along conveyors to lift, rotate and/or orienttie plates for proper feeding location. This typically requires two menon lower output machines and as many as six men on high output or highproduction machines.

Due to labor costs and a desire to eliminate job functions where liftingor other injuries might occur, it would be desirable to automate as manyof these labor positions as possible.

Additionally, it would be desirable to increase the throughput of tieplates to increase efficiencies associated with distribution andtherefore decrease the downtime of railroad tracks during maintenanceperiods when tie plate replacement is necessary.

SUMMARY

According to at least one embodiment, a tie plate sorter assemblycomprises at least one generally cylindrical driving ring, at least onetie plate receiving side extending from adjacent the cylindrical drivingring, at least one magnet selectively operable and disposed adjacent theat least one tie plate receiving side, a tie plate input which providestie plates to the tie plate receiving side when the tie plate receivingside is in one position, a tie plate output which receives sorted tieplates from the tie plate receiving side when the tie plate receivingside is in a second position. Optionally, the at least one generallycylindrical driving ring may have a first cylindrical drive ring and asecond cylindrical drive ring. The first and second cylindrical driverings may be disposed on tires wherein at least one of the tires isrotabably driven. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the at least oneof said tires may be driven by one of an electric or hydraulic motor.The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the one of an electric motor or ahydraulic motor is directly connected to the at least one of the tires.The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the one of an electric motor or ahydraulic motor is connected to the at least one of the tires by atransmission assembly. Optionally, the transmission assembly may be oneof a chain drive, a belt drive, a gear drive, or a hydraulictransmission. The tie plate sorter assembly further comprises a chaindrive having a drive sprocket extending about said tie plate sorter. Thetie plate sorter assembly wherein the at least one tie plate receivingside forms a geometric shape and further wherein the geometric shape maybe one of a circle, a polygon, a square, a rectangle, a quadrilateral, atrapezoid, a pentagon, a hexagon, and an octagon. The tie plate sorterassembly wherein each of the at least one tie plate receiving sidesincluding at least one magnet. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein theat least one magnet is selectively powerable. The tie plate sorterassembly further comprises a power supply and a conductor whichselectively powers the at least one magnet. The tie plate sorterassembly wherein the power supply is a metallic strip. The tie platesorter assembly wherein the conductor engages the power supply dependenton a position of the receiver.

According to at least another embodiment, a tie plate sorter assemblyfor use on a tie plate distribution vehicle capable of operation on-roadand on a railroad track, the vehicle having a bed and a crane, comprisesa tie plate receiver having a first driving ring and a second drivingring, at least one tie plate receiving side extending between the firstdriving ring and the second driving ring, the at least one tie platereceiving side substantially forming one of a circle or a polygon, atleast one driving assembly causing cyclical motion of said at least onetie plate receiving side, at least one magnet disposed adjacent the atleast one tie plate receiving side, said at least one magnet beingselectively operable, a tie plate input which delivers tie plates to thetie plate receiver, and, a tie plate output which receives the tieplates from the tie plate receiver. The tie plate sorter assemblywherein the cyclical motion is rotational. The tie plate sorter assemblywherein the cyclical motion is bi-directional. The tie plate sorterassembly wherein the tie plate input enters in a first direction. Thetie plate sorter assembly wherein the tie plate output exits in a seconddirection. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the first direction andthe second direction are linearly aligned. The tie plate sorter assemblywherein the first and second direction are non-aligned. The tie platesorter assembly further comprises an electrical contact operablyengaging the at least one magnet. The tie plate sorter assembly whereinthe tie plate input is optionally one of a roller conveyor, a beltconveyor, a chute or a feeder.

According to a further alternative embodiments, a tie plate sorterassembly comprises a drive assembly for cyclical motion of a tie platereceiver, the tie plate receiver having at least one tie plate receivingside, at least one magnet disposed on the tie plate receiver, the magnetdisposed selectively operable based upon a position of said at least onemagnet, a tie plate input providing tie plates to the tie platereceiver, a tie plate output receiving tie plates from the tie platereceiver. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the magnet is anelectromagnet. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the magnet is adual pole bar magnet. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the at leastone magnet has at least one on position and at least one off positionduring movement of said tie plate receiver. The tie plate sorterassembly further comprising guides located along the at least one tieplate receiving side. The tie plate sorter assembly further comprises acatch disposed on an inside of the tie plate receiver. The tie platesorter assembly further comprises a power supply to power the at leastone magnet.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a method of separating tie platescomprises driving a tie plate receiver in a cyclical manner, receivingtie plates in the tie plate receiver, moving the tie plates from a firstposition to a second position in the tie plate receiver, selectivelyreleasing the tie plates onto a discharge conveyor, moving the tieplates along the discharge conveyor. The method of separating tie plateswherein the cyclical manner is rotational. The method of separating tieplates further comprises driving the tie plate receiver in at least twodirections. The method of separating tie plates further comprisesselectively retaining the tie plates. The method of separating tieplates further comprises driving the tie plate receiver with a hydraulicassembly. The method of separating tie plates further comprises drivingthe tie plate receiver with one of a pneumatic, hydraulic or electricmotor. The method of separating tie plates further comprises rotating atleast one tire with the at least one hydraulic or electric motor. Themethod of separating tie plate further comprises receiving the tieplates at a lower position of the tie plate receiver andelectromagnetically releasing at least one of the tie plates at a higherposition of said tie plate receiver. The method of separating tie platesfurther comprises actuating an electromagnet between an on condition andan off condition. The method of separating tie plates further compriseschanging orientation of the tie plates on a discharge conveyor.

According to a further exemplary embodiment, a method of separating tieplates for feeding to a distribution conveyor comprises driving a tieplate receiver cyclically, feeding a plurality of tie plates to the tieplate receiver, moving the plurality of tie plates from a first positionto a second position during the cyclical driving, and, releasing theplurality of tie plates on to an exit conveyor at the second position.The method wherein the feeding occurs with an entrance conveyor. Themethod further comprises operating the entrance conveyor and the exitconveyor in a single direction. The method wherein the releasingcomprises powering off a magnet. The method wherein the moving comprisespowering a magnet to carry the plurality of tie plates from the firstposition to the second position. The method wherein the driving occursby at least one drive tire engaging a driven ring on the tie platereceiver.

According to an alternate embodiment, a tie plate sorter assemblycomprises a first substantially cylindrical driving ring and a secondcylindrical driving ring, at least one tie plate receiving surfaceextending between the first and second substantially cylindrical drivingrings, the at least one tie plate receiving surface having at least onepass through aperture for allowing at least one tie plate to pass froman interior of the sorter to an exterior, a retaining mechanism engagingthe at least one tie plate receiving surface for retaining the at leastone tie plate until the tie plate is released. Optionally, the tie platesorter assembly further comprises a pocket adjacent the at least onepass through aperture. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the atleast one retaining mechanism is magnetic. The tie plate sorter assemblywherein the at least one retaining mechanism is electromagnetic. The tieplate sorter assembly wherein the at least one retaining mechanism isactuated depending on the position of the tie plate sorter. The tieplate sorter assembly wherein the at least one retaining mechanism isactuated electrically. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the atleast one retaining mechanism is actuated mechanically.

According to a further embodiment, a tie plate sorter assembly,comprises a tie plate receiver having a first end and a second end, atleast one location for receiving tie plates into said tie platereceiver, the tie plate receiver having at least one side wherein tieplates are deposited, the tie plate receiver having at least oneaperture discharging tie plates. The tie plate sorter assembly furthercomprises a mechanical structure to engage or disengage a magnet. Themagnet may retain the tie plates in the receiver until the magnet isdisengaged. The tie plate sorter assembly further comprises anelectromagnet. The tie plate sorter assembly further comprises a pocketwherein at least one of the plurality of tie plates is seated. The tieplate sorter assembly wherein a magnet is positioned adjacent thepocket. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the aperture is formed inthe pocket area.

According to still a further embodiment, a tie plate sorter assemblycomprises a tie plate receiver having a first end and a second end, aninput location for tie plates into the tie plate receiver, a pluralityof circumferentially spaced pockets about the receiver, a retainingmechanism located at the pocket to retain at least one of the tie platesin the pocket, an aperture in the pocket to selectively release the atleast one tie plate. The tie plate sorter assembly wherein the aperturedischarges the at least one tie plate externally of the receiver. Thetie plate sorter assembly further comprises a conveyor to receive thedischarged at least one tie plate. The tie plate sorter assembly whereinthe pockets extend in an axial direction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the embodiments may be better understood, embodiments ofthe tie plate sorter in accordance with the present invention will nowbe described by way of examples. These embodiments are not to limit thescope of the present invention as other embodiments of the tie platesorter of the present invention will become apparent to one havingordinary skill in the art upon reading the instant description. Examplesof the present invention are shown in figures wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a side view of a first embodiment of a tie plateseparator or sorter assembly and distribution conveyor.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the tie plate sorter assemblyremoved from a tie plate distribution vehicle.

FIG. 4 refers to an exploded perspective view of the embodiments shownin FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 depicts an end view of the tie plate receiver having a pluralityof tie plates therein.

FIG. 6 depicts an end view of the tie plate receiver rotated through anarcuate distance from the position shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts an end view with the tie plate receiver rotated furtherfrom the position depicted in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 depicts an end view of the tie plate sorter rotated even furtherfrom the position depicted in FIG. 7 and a tie plate falling onto anexit conveyor.

FIG. 9 depicts a top view of an exit conveyor wherein the tie plateorientation is changed if necessary.

FIG. 10 and alternate vehicle for moving an exemplary tie plate sorter.

FIG. 11 depicts an alternate embodiment of a further cyclical operatingtie plate receiver and sorter assembly.

FIG. 12 depicts a side view of the alternate tie plate sorter of FIG. 11in a first position.

FIG. 13 depicts a side view of the alternate tie plate sorter of FIG. 11in a second position.

FIG. 14 depicts an end view of an alternative receiver with at least oneslide surface.

FIG. 15 depicts a perspective view of an embodiment wherein guides arelocated within the receiver.

FIG. 16 depicts an end view of a receiver wherein a catch is disposed inthe receiver.

FIG. 17 depicts a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of areceiver.

FIG. 18 depicts a perspective view of a further alternative outputconveyor extending from a receiver.

FIG. 19 is an end section view of an alternate retaining mechanismdisposed on a receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the tie plate sorter assembly is not limitedin its application to the details of construction and the arrangement ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for thepurpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The useof “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof hereinis meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalentsthereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms“connected,” “coupled,” and “mounted,” and variations thereof herein areused broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings,and mountings. In addition, the terms “connected” and “coupled” andvariations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanicalconnections or couplings.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like numeral indicatelike elements throughout several views, there are shown in FIGS. 1through 19 various aspects of a tie plate separator or sorter assemblywhich receives a plurality of tie plates and positions the tie platessequentially on an exit conveyor for subsequent feeding to a tie platedistribution system. A method is further shown herein for performing thefunction described with the various structures disclosed.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, a side view of a tie plate sorterassembly 10 positioned on a hi-rail truck 12 for separating a pluralityof tie plates positioned on the truck by a crane or other loadingstructure 28 and feeding a tie plate distribution system 15.

The tie plate separator or sorter assembly 10 is mounted on a truck orother vehicle 12 having capability of operating on a road or on arailroad track 13, as shown. The railroad track 13 includes a pair ofrails 14 disposed on tie plates 16. The tie plates 16 are positioned onthe railroad ties 18 which extend generally perpendicular below therails 14. The tie plates 16 connect the rails 14 to the railroad ties18. The railroad ties 18 are positioned in ballast 19 which may beformed of various substrates which typically include some amount ofgravel or rock.

The truck 12 includes the front road tires 20 and at least one set ofrear road tires 22. An engine and transmission connected to the rearroad tires 22 provide propulsion for both on road and railway travel,according to the instant embodiment. The vehicle 12 also includes railwheels 26 which allow movement along rails 14 by way of propulsion fromat least one of the front and rear tires 20 and 22. The truck 12includes an auxiliary drive system 24 which also allows the vehicle tooperate on the railroad tracks through the use of additional railwheels26 shown. A crane 28 is located at the rear of the bed of the truck 12for loading materials onto the truck 12 as well as clearing debris fromrailway worksites as needed. As shown in FIG. 10, an alternative vehicle112 is depicted. The vehicle 112 is a flatbed cargo vehicle for traintrack 13 usage. The vehicle 112 is typically used for higher output tieplate production systems. In operation, vehicle 112 may follow behindvehicle 12, or other pulling vehicle, engine or tractor, so as toreceive tie plates from crane 28. These vehicles should not beconsidered limiting as various types of vehicles may be utilized.

The tie plate separator assembly 10 includes a tie plate receiver 30which operates in a cyclical manner to receive tie plates at onelocation and move the tie plates to a second location for depositing ona tie plate distribution system 15. The separator assembly 10 furtherincludes a drive assembly 50 (FIG. 3) which causes cyclical motion ofthe receiver 30 to separate or sort the tie plates for positioning on anexit conveyor. The receiver 30, according to the instant embodiment,rotates about an axis which is parallel to the longitudinal axis of thetruck 12, i.e. extending from the front tires 20 to the rear tires 22.The tie plate receiver 30 receives tie plates from input 73 and movesthe tie plates from the receiver 30 by output 70. The input 73 may beformed of various roller, powered, vibrating, or gravity feedstructures. The feed or input structure 73 may have a switch or othercontrol structure for limiting the flow of tie plates 16 into thereceiver 30.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a top view of the truck 12 with the tie plateseparator 10 is depicted. At a forward end of the truck 12 is theoperating cab 17 wherein a driver can operate the truck 12 while in useduring on road travel, and in order to position the truck 12 on therailroad track 13. Once the truck 12 is positioned on the track 13, theoperator may move to a rear or cab area where the engine speed,auxiliary drive 24 and crane 28 may be controlled in order to propel thetruck along the rails 14 and move tie plates 16 for processing in thereceiver 30.

According to one embodiment of the tie plate separator assembly 10, thetie plates 16 are received by the receiver 30 at the vehicle forward endof the receiver 30 and are directed towards the rear of the vehicle 12after the tie plates 16 are oriented in the tie plate receiver 30. Thecrane 28 feeds tie plates 16 to a plurality of feed devices such as ahopper, a vibrating feeder, a feed chute, a roller or belt conveyor orother structure which feeds the receiver 30.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the tie plate separator 10 is shown includingthe receiver 30 and a drive assembly 50 positioned on a frame 32.Positioned on or adjacent to the frame 32 is a motor 34 which is poweredby a power supply 36. The motor 34 may be electric or alternatively maybe hydraulic. The power supply 36 therefore may be electric or may be afluid supply utilized to rotate the hydraulic motor. Various powersupplies may be used and exemplary descriptions should not be consideredlimiting.

In addition to the motor 34, the drive assembly 50 further comprises atransmission 38. The transmission 38 is shown including sheaves 40, 42and a belt 44. The sheaves 40, 42 receive the belt 44 and togethertransfer torque from the motor 34 to at least one tire 52. Alternativedrives may be utilized, however. For example, gear drives, chain drivesor other transmissions may be utilized. The chain drive sprockets mayreplace sheaves 40, 42. Alternatively, a chain sprocket may extend aboutthe receiver 30 and an adjacent sprocket may be positioned on a motor ortransmission in order to turn the receiver 30 by way of a chainextending around both sprockets.

The drive assembly 50 further comprises tire assemblies 51, each havingfirst and second tires 52 spaced apart along the axle 54. The tires 52may be metallic, rubber, composite or other materials. The assemblies 51are connected to the frame 32 by opposed bearings 56 between which theaxle 54 extends. As shown in the exemplary embodiment, the deviceincludes first and second tire assemblies 51 spaced apart to rotatablylocate the receiver 30. In order to operate, the motor 34 is powered forrotation, causing rotation through the transmission 38 and tires 52.With rotation of the adjacent at least one drive ring, for example driverings 60 and 62, opposite tire assembly 51 is also driven which allowsfor guided rotation of the receiver 30. While one tire assembly 51 isshown being driven by the motor 34, alternate embodiments may beprovided wherein both tire assemblies may be driven.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the receiver 30 is exploded from the frame 32and the tire assemblies 51. Extending between a first drive ring 60 anda second drive ring 62 is at least one side 64. The at least one side 64defines a geometric shape as best shown in FIG. 5 when viewed from anend of the receiver 30. The exemplary design utilizes an octagonalshaped hollowed area 63 of the receiver 30 which is formed by the eightsides 64. The hollow area 63 receives tie plates 16 from a feed deviceand feeds out separated tie plates via an exit or output conveyor 70.Alternatively, various shapes may be utilized which may be moved incyclical fashion. For example, polygons, circles, curvilinear sides andother shapes may be used.

Referring still to FIG. 4, on or in each side 64 is at least one magnet72. According to the exemplary embodiment, the magnets 72 are positionedon the outer surface of side 64 and apertures are cut in the sides 64 sothat the magnetic force can retain tie plates 16 on the inside of thereceiver 30. Other arrangements are contemplated however, dependent onthe force attainable with the magnets. The exemplary magnets 72 are dualpole magnets however alternative magnets may also be utilized. Each ofthe magnets 72 retain at least one tie plate 16 against a side 64 duringthe rotation of the receiver 30 on the tire assemblies 51. The magnets72 move with rotation of the receiver 30 so that magnetically retainedtie plates are moved from the lower side of the receiver 30 to the upperside during the rotation. This causes loose tie plates to separate fromthe magnetically retained tie plates 16 which are held tightly by theelectromagnetic force. As the receiver 30 rotates, the magnets 72 retainand move at least one tie plate 16 toward a discharge position. At suchdischarge position, the tie plates 16 are released on to a tie plateoutput 70, such as the exemplary conveyor. Other embodiments may beused. For example, although the magnets are shown inside receiver 30with long side extending in a circumferential direction the receiver 30,the magnets 72 may be rotated so that the long side extends in an axialdirection. Additionally, although magnets 72 are shown on each surfaceof the receiver 30, the magnets may be spaced to every other surface ofthe receiver or further depending on the desired throughput. Evenfurther, the magnets 72 may be spaced in the axial direction of thereceiver as well. Although three magnets 72 are shown in an axialdirection, more magnets 72 may be used or fewer may be utilized.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10, the receiver 30 is shown in asectional end view moving through multiple positions due to cyclicalmotion of the tire assemblies 51. As previously described, the receiver30 rotates in clockwise direction according to the exemplary views, sothat the tie plates 16 deposited in the receiver 30 are moved toward thetop of the receiver 30. When located at the top of the receiver, the tieplates 16 are transferred to a tie plate output 70. Since all of thelifting and positioning occurs in automated fashion, the structure andprocess provides for decrease in manual handling which results indecreased lifting injury. Also, the process results in increasedefficiency, increased throughput of tie plates and ultimately decreasedoperating costs. In the FIGS. 5-10, the sides 64 are labeled 64 a-64 hfor ease in distinguishing movement of the receiver 30.

In FIG. 5, the tie plates 16 are deposited on a tie plate receiver side64 a at a first position. This first position is a lowermost positionfor the specific side 64 a described herein. The tie plates 16 may bedelivered in a multitude of manners including a conveyor, a vibratingfeeder, a chute or any of a variety of means in order to deposit tieplates 16 on the side 64 a. Moreover, the tie plates 16 need not bedeposited at the lowermost surface but may be positioned at a multitudeof positions within the receiver 30. As shown in the Figure, the side 64a has a magnet 72 on an outer surface. Adjacent the magnet 72 is aconductor 74 which engages a power supply 76 extending about thereceiver 30. The power supply 76 is a copper or other conductive stripor band in the exemplary embodiment, however other structures may beutilized to provide power to the conductor 74. The power supply 76 maybe charged by a battery, an alternator which may be connected to ahydraulic motor, a generator or other means. The magnet 72 is powered bythe conductor 74, which is powered by the power supply 76. The powersupply 76 is shown in the axial center of the receiver 30. However, asshown in other embodiments, the power supply 76 may be at axial ends ofthe receiver 30 or any position therebetween. The magnet 72 providesforce sufficient to retain at least one tie plate 16, as previouslydescribed. According to the exemplary embodiment, each side 64 a-64 hincludes a magnet 72. However, magnets 72 may be spaced on consecutivesurfaces, alternating surfaces or as needed for desired output of tieplates 16. As shown in FIG. 3, the power supply 76 is depicted generallycentrally positioned relative to the axial direction of the receiver 30.However, the structure 76 may be moved to axial ends of the receiver 30or any position there between. Additionally, the power supply 76 may belocated at ends as long as pathways are provided for feed and outputstructure 70.

With reference now to FIG. 6, as the tire assemblies 51 rotate in acounterclockwise direction, this causes clockwise rotation of receiver30. The side 64 a moves from a lowermost position (FIG. 5) to a positionupwardly from that, as shown in FIG. 6. The tie plates 16 which arelocated against the surface 64 a are held in position by the magnets 72.The conductor 74 continues to move with the rotation of the receiver 30.During the rotation, the conductor 74 stays in contact with the powersupply 76 so that the magnet 72 continues to retain at least one tieplate 16 on surface 64 a. As the rotation occurs, at least one tie plate16 which is not immediately adjacent the magnet 72 will typically falldownward due to gravity to a lower surface 64 h of the receiver 30. Astie plate 16 slides downward and engages at least one exposed magnet 72on subsequent side 64 h, the tie plate 16 will be retained as thereceiver 30 continues rotation.

Referring to FIG. 7, the tie plate 16 continues moving in the clockwisedirection with rotation of the receiver 30. The conductor 74 maintainsengagement with the power supply 76. The side 64 a is verticallyoriented due to the rotation of the receiver 30. On side 64 a, a singletie plate 16 is held in position by the magnet 72, while all loose tieplates 16 have fallen downward toward the lower adjacent side 64 h ofthe receiver 30. A majority of the tie plates 16 are disposed on side 64h. In the stack of tie plates 16 on surface 64 h, the lowermost tieplate 16 adjacent the surface 64 h will be held by the magnetic forcewhile the remainder of plates may be loosely in position and will fallas rotation continues. At the lowermost side 64 g, one tie plate 16 isdisposed in the lowermost position of the receiver 30 having fallen fromeither or both of sides 64 a and 64 h. The tie plates 16 are held byelectromagnetic force against the surface indicated while other tieplates slide toward the lower adjacent side 64 g with continuedrotation. The retaining force is available due to the engagement betweenthe conductor 74 and the power supply 76. However, other selectivelyoperable retaining mechanisms or forces may be used. For example,pockets which catch and hold the loose tie plates 16 may be utilized torelease the tie plates 16 at an appropriate location. Additionally,pockets, guides, catches, lips or the other structures, including butnot limited to those shown in FIGS. 11, 15 and 17 may also be utilized.

As shown in FIG. 8, the side 64 a is disposed horizontally at the top ofthe cyclical rotation of the receiver 30. The conductor 74 of side 64 ais disengaged from the power supply 76. With the magnets 72 of side 64 adischarged, the tie plates 16 are released. Thus depending on theposition of the receiver 30 or the magnets 72, the tie plates 16 arereleased. Since the side 64 a is above the output conveyor 70, the tieplates 16 are released and begin to fall toward the output conveyor 70.One tie plate 16 is shown moving downward and rotating during the fallfrom the top uppermost surface 64 to an output conveyor 70. The tieplate output conveyor 70 moves the tie plates 16 out of the receiver andtoward a tie plate distribution system 15 (FIG. 1) utilized with thevehicle 12. It may be also desirable to facilitate a complete dischargeof the magnets 72 so as to release any dust or metallic debris which maydelay or inhibit release of the tie plates 16. One such structure may bea rectifier but such device should not be considered limiting as variousdischarge devices may be utilized.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a top view of the output conveyor for tie plateoutput 70 is shown. As depicted in the figure, a tie plate 16 isdisposed at the left hand end of the segment of conveyor 70. The tieplate 16 engages an orientation structure 80. The exemplary embodimentutilizes a post 80 to cause rotation of the tie plate 16 about avertical axis as the tie plate 16 moves with the output conveyor 70. Therotation of the tie plate 16 is shown in broken line as the tie plate 16engages the orientation structure 80 causing the rotation about avertical axis. With further movement of the conveyor 70, the orientationmoves about 90 degrees from a longitudinal alignment with the conveyorto an orientation which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the conveyor 70. Additionally, the orientation of the tie plates16 may need to be rotated about a horizontal axis. In other words, itmay be desirable to rotate the tie plate from the bottom surface asshown in FIG. 9 to the top surface. One method of doing this is to dropthe tie plates from one conveyor to a second conveyor allowing the tieplate to flip or rotate about the horizontal axis. As shown in FIG. 10,output conveyor 70 drops to a secondary output conveyor 71. This causesrotation of the tie plate 16 from one surface to a second surface. Theheight differential of the space between conveyor 70 and 71 may beadjusted so as to allow for rotation to the appropriate side desired.Thus, with the tight spacing between the layers, a tie plate may not beallowed to rotate or with a wider spacing, the tie plate may be able torotate 180 degrees so as to flip sides for feeding through the tie platedistribution system 15. This will be partially dependent on tie platedimensions as will be understood by one skilled in the art.

Additional embodiments are shown, with reference to FIG. 14, depictingthat the magnets 72 may also be spaced apart at further distances thanevery surface 64 of the receiver 30. For example, the magnets 72 maybespaced at every other surface as shown, or at farther distances.According to a further embodiment shown, a sliding surface 164 may bepositioned between, for example, surfaces 64 a and 64 g. The slidingsurface more closely approximates a circular surface upon which theplates 16 may slide rather than fall to surface 64 g where the at leastone magnet 72 is positioned. This surface 164 allows for quietermovement of tie plates 16 and may be used between immediately adjacentsurfaces or where magnets 72 are spaced apart at farther distances asshown. Other arrangements of slide surfaces may be utilized and shouldbe considered within the scope of this disclosure.

As further depicted in FIG. 15, guides 134 may be utilized in thereceiver 30. The guides 134 may be positioned to locate tie plates 16into a desired orientation and position. Additionally, the guides 134may further limit the capture of more than one tie plate by any magnet72. The guides may be welded or fastened and may be oriented to providea multitude of tie plate 16 orientations. Therefore the embodiment shownshould not be considered limiting.

As shown in FIG. 16, an end view of the receiver 30 is depicted whereinthe catches 136 are depicted. These catches 136 receive ends of the tieplates 16 and cause the tie plate 16 to flip when the tie plate 16 isreleased from the top of the receiver 30 revolution. The flip of the tieplate 16 may be desirable when a desired orientation is needed and thenormal release of the tie plate 16 from the receiver magnet 72 does notresult in such orientation. The catch 136 may be formed of variousstructures, such as for example angle iron, and may be attached in avariety of manners.

Referring now to FIG. 11, a secondary embodiment of the invention isshown. In this embodiment the receiver 130 does not rotate in a circularmotion, but instead has a cyclical motion which is in two directions. Asshown, the tie plate receiving structure 130 includes a plurality ofpockets 132 defined by guides 134. In these pockets 132, tie plates aredisposed and a magnet may be utilized on the backside of the receiverstructure 130 to retain the tie plate 16 in a position indicated. Fromthis position the magnet may be released and the tie plate falls ontothe conveyor 170.

Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, side views of the receiver 130 forsorting are depicted. The side view is rotated 90 degrees from thatshown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the receiver is shown having a first endwhich is elevated and a second end which deposits tie plates on theoutput conveyor 170. In FIG. 13, the second end is elevated so that theloose tie plates are moved to the opposite end of the receiver 130 andthe properly oriented plates are held in position by magnets adjacentthe pocket area 132 of the receiver 130. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13,the motion is cyclical in that the ends of the receiver 130 move betweenfirst and second positions in a reciprocating fashion. This may be donethrough the use of a motor or an actuator, such as a pneumatic or fluidactuator.

In operation, the tie plates 16 are loaded on the cyclical receiver 130.The flat platter 164 of receiver 130 pivots has an upper side or surface165 along which the tie plates 16 slide. The surface 165 of receiver 130pivots at joint 166. The tie plates are moved away from the conveyor 170by pivoting the end of receiver 130 opposite the conveyor 170 downward,as shown in FIG. 13. Next the receiver is rotated to the position inFIG. 12 causing the tie plates to slide toward the conveyor 170. The tieplates move into the pockets 132 formed by guides 134, thus orientingthe tie plates 16. When the magnets are powered off, the tie plates inpockets 132 fall on the conveyor 170. Next the receiver 130 moves towardthe position in FIG. 13, and the process starts again.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a further alternative receiver 230 is shownand according to some embodiments has a first driving ring 260 and asecond driving ring 262 spaced apart by at least one tie plate receivingsurface 264. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the atleast one receiving surface 264 defines a circular shaped interiorextending between the driving rings 260, 262. However, multiple shapesmay utilize and such description should not be considered limiting. Thetie plate receiving surface 264 includes a plurality of magnets 72 whichretain tie plates against the tie plate receiving surfaces 264 at eachmagnet location. As previously described during operation, tie platesenter the receiver 230 at a first location and exit at a secondlocation. However, at least some embodiments utilize at least one pocket280. The pocket 280 comprises multiple magnets 72 thereon so that thetie plates 16 are retained in the pocket area of the receiver 230. Thepocket 280 is defined by multiple walls however an opening or aperture282 is defined along one area of the pocket 280 so that tie plates maybe discharged.

Adjacent to receiver 230 is an external conveyor 270. The conveyor 270receives tie plates 16 as they are discharged from the receiver 230. Theconveyor 270 may take various forms including a roller conveyor, beltconveyor or other feeding or sliding mechanisms to move the tie plates16. Adjacent the conveyor 270 is an exemplary motor and belt drive whichdefines a drive assembly 274. However the drive assembly may takevarious forms including gear drive or direct drive systems connected toa head or tail pulley.

In operation, the tie plates 16 are received through the opening definedby the first driving ring 260. The tie plates 16 rotate and slide withinthe receiver 230 and are retained and positioned by the retainingstructure 72, such as for example a magnet. More specifically, the tieplates move into the pockets 280 and are held in position by the magnets72 until the magnets are deactivated by ending communication with thepower supply 76. When the power supply no longer powers the magnet 72,the aperture 282 is oriented generally downwardly so that the tie plate16 are released through the receiver 230 toward the conveyor 270. Fromthis position, the tie plate 16 moves away from the receiver 230 alongthe external conveyor 270.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a perspective view of the tie plate sorterassembly is shown. In exemplary discharge or output conveyor 70 isdepicted internally of the receiver 30. According to one exemplaryembodiment, the conveyor output 70 is generally positioned toward oneside of the receiver 30. The conveyor 70 includes a motor and gear boxdefining a drive assembly 350. The conveyor 70 may be centered or may bemoved toward one side of the receiver 30.

During rotation of the receiver 30, tie plates 16 are released aspreviously described from being retained from the retaining structuresor mechanisms, for example, magnets. The magnets 72 may release tieplates 16 along sides or at the top of the rotation. When released atthe side of the receiver 30, the tie plates 16 engage a slide surface 79which directs the plates 16 onto the conveyor 70. Since the slidesurface 79 temporarily position tie plates on a lower edge of the tieplate 16 and leaning at an angle, the tie plate engages a flipping bar75. The bar 75 causes the tie plate 16 to move to the desiredorientation which is bottom down for further movement along the conveyor70 and discharge to other tie plate distribution structures.

Referring now to FIG. 19, the receiver 30 shown in end view. In thisview the receiver 30 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Theexemplary embodiments depicted in FIG. 19 show that the retainingstructures 372 are permanent magnets and are engaged or mechanicallydisengaged from the receiver 30 depending on the position of thereceiver during rotation. For example, magnets 372 are normallypositioned against the surfaces 64 of the receiver 30. As the magnet 372moves towards a disengagement bar 374, the magnets 372 includemechanical structure which engages the bar 374 causing the magnet topivot or lift away from the surface 64 of the receiver 30. When themagnet moves away from the surface 64, the tie plate 16 may be releasedto the output conveyor 70. Once the receiver 30 continues rotation andmagnets 370 clear the disengagement bar 374 near the bottom of therotation cycle, the magnets 372 reengage the surfaces 64 and beginlifting tie plate 16 upwardly along the rotation cycle until reachingthe disengagement bar 374. Although a pivot structure is shown, themagnet 372 may be moved in a variety of ways.

It should be understood that the various retaining structures such aselectromagnetic, magnetic or other structures which are used to retainthe tie plates 16 against the inside surfaces of the receiver 30 may beutilized in combination with various embodiments of an internal conveyor70 or external conveyor 170. Additionally, the various forms of magnetsmay be utilized with any of the embodiments described herein.

While several inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the invent of embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms. The indefinite articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in thespecification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.” The phrase“and/or,” as used herein in the specification and in the claims, shouldbe understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined,i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases anddisjunctively present in other cases.

Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the samefashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Otherelements may optionally be present other than the elements specificallyidentified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to thoseelements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, areference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-endedlanguage such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only(optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, toB only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet anotherembodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should beunderstood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. Forexample, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall beinterpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, butalso including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and,optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated tothe contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when usedin the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactlyone element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or”as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusivealternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded byterms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or“exactly one of” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims,shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated to thecontrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more than one stepor act, the order of the steps or acts of the method is not necessarilylimited to the order in which the steps or acts of the method arerecited.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures, Section 2111.03.

The foregoing description of several methods and an embodiment of theinvention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise stepsand/or forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variationsare possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that thescope of the invention and all equivalents be defined by the claimsappended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tie plate sorter assembly, comprising: a firstsubstantially cylindrical driving ring and a second cylindrical drivingring; at least one tie plate receiving surface extending between saidfirst and second substantially cylindrical driving rings; said at leastone tie plate receiving surface having at least one pass throughaperture for allowing at least one tie plate to pass from an interior ofsaid tie plate receiving surface to an exterior of said tie platereceiving surface; a magnetic retaining mechanism engaging said at leastone tie plate receiving surface for retaining said at least one tieplate until said tie plate is released.
 2. The tie plate sorter assemblyof claim 1 further comprising a pocket adjacent said at least one passthrough aperture.
 3. The tie plate sorter assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one retaining mechanism is electromagnetic.
 4. The tieplate sorter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one retainingmechanism is actuated depending on the position of said tie platesorter.
 5. The tie plate sorter assembly of claim 1, wherein said atleast one retaining mechanism is actuated electrically.
 6. The tie platesorter assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one retainingmechanism is actuated mechanically.
 7. The tie plate sorter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein said tie plate sorter is mounted on one of a bed or atrailer.
 8. The tie plate sorter assembly of claim 1 further comprisinga drive assembly which engages said first and second cylindrical drivingrings to rotate said first and second cylindrical rings.
 9. The tieplate sorter assembly of claim 1, said magnetic retaining mechanismretaining said tie plates in a first position and releasing said tieplates in a second position.